Automatic original feed device for electrophotographic duplicating machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic original feed attachment for mounting on conventional electrophotographic duplicating machines comprising: a first section which is connected to the machine having a tray for holding a stack of originals to be duplicated and a feed system for removing the originals in sequence from the tray; a second section pivoted to the first section and having an endless belt which passes over the copying position of the machine and feeds originals from the first section to the copying position and holds them there during copying; and a third section connected to the second section and having an original receiving tray and a system for removing originals after copying and reversing their feed path before delivery to the receiving tray. The receiving tray mounting permits it to be dropped from its normally inclined position to rest on the second section and the second section may be pivoted up from the copying position to permit free access to the original receiving glass plate for individual copying when the present attachment is not being used.

iii rilea United States Patent [191 Shiina et a1.

1 1 AUTOMATIC ORIGINAL FEED DEVICE FOR ELECTROPHQTOGRAPHIC DUPLICATING MACIHNE 7 9 991 99 e m i rqfl pan [73] Assignee: Kabushiki KaishaRicoh, Tokyo,

Japan Nov. 9, 1972 211 App]. No.: 304,979

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 13, 1971 Japan 46-90301 [52] US. Cl 271/4, 271/186, 271/207 [51] Int. Cl B65h 3/06, B65h 5/02, B65h 31/02 [58] Field of Search 271/4, 3, 10, 5, 6, 7, 271/86, 75, 69, 68, 80, 65, DIG. 9; 355/8 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,389,848 11/1945 Gibson et al 271/69 X 2,813,714 11/1957 Herrick 271/125 X 3,122,040 2/1964 Bishop 271/125 X 3,506,257 4/1970 Fackler et a1 271/4 X 3,685,905 8/1972 Marshall et a1. 355/8 X 3,700,231 10/1972- Aasen et al. 271/65 X Prirndiy Eicdhiine r Evon CL 13 11 1 1115 m i 7 Assistant Examiner-Bruce H. Stoner, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Cooper, Dunham, Clark, Griffin & Moran 1 57] ABSTRACT An automatic original feed attachment for mounting on conventional electrophotographic duplicating machines comprising: a first section which is connected to the machine having a tray for holding a stack of originals to be duplicated and a feed system for removing the originals in sequence from the tray; a second section pivoted to the first section and having an endless belt which passes over the copying position of the machine and feeds originals from the first section to'the copying position and holds them there during copying; and a third section connected to the second section and having an original receiving tray and a sysvtem for removing originals after copying and reversing their feed path before delivery to the receiving tray. The receiving tray mounting permits it to be dropped from its normally inclined position to rest on the second section and the second section may be pivoted up from the copying position to permit free access to the original receiving glass plate for individual copying when the present attachment is not being used.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures AUTOMATIC ORIGINAL FEED DEVICE FOR ELE CTROPIIIOTOGRAPHIC DUPLICATING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an automatic original feed device which is adapted to be mounted on a conventional electrophotographic duplicating machines as an attachment in unitary form.

There often arises the need to produce one or a plurality of duplicates of each of a number of originals of the same size and thickness, such for example as bills, checks or the like. In such case, if each original is placed manually on the original receiving glass plate of the electrophotographic duplicating machine to carry out exposure, the operation can be laborious and time consuming if each original must be placed carefully in a predetermined position without deviation. The practice of performing the duplicating operation while keeping the rubber pressing plate in its open position in order to increase the speed of operation has often caused fatigue of the eyes of the operator due to the continuous exposure to the light of the halogen lamp.

This invention obviates the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional duplicating machines, and accordingly, provides an automatic original feed device which can be mounted as an attachment in unitary form on conventional electrophotographic duplicating machines to perform the duplicating operation automatically at an increased operating speed, and which does not place limits on the scope of use to which the duplicating machine may be put by permitting duplication of a page or pages of a book or the like to be carried out when necessary without removing the device from the duplicating machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention embodies an automatic original feed device, adapted to be mounted on a conventional electrophotographic duplicating machine as an attachment in unitary form, comprising an original stand-by section having an original rest tray and separating means for feeding originals from the original rest tray one after another to an illuminating position; an original conveying and holding section having an endless belt for conveying each of the originals fed from the original stand-by section to the illuminating position and for holding each original in such position; an original ejecting section having means for conveying each original from the illuminating position after being illuminated; and a tray for receiving each original conveyed thereto. The original conveying and holding section, and the original ejecting section are pivotable about a shaft to facilitate their release from the illuminating position and expose the original receiving glass plate of the duplicating machine without removing the device therefrom.

Other and additional features and advantages of the invention will become evident from the description set forth hereinafter when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electrophotographic duplicator having the automatic original feed device according to the invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the original stand-by section of the device;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the original conveying and holding section and the original ejecting section of the device; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the original stand-by section showing the side plate on which the main switch is mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. I, there is shown the automatic original feed device 2 according to this invention mounted on a conventional electrophotographic duplicating machine 1. The duplicating machine has mounted therein a photosensitive paper roll 31 from which a photosensitive web is unwound and cut by a cutter into a photosensitive sheet of a predetermined size, which sheet is forwarded to an electrically charging device 32 and uniformly charged therein. After being charged, the photosensitive sheet is supplied to an exposing position 34 and is stopped there as its leading end impinges on a microswitch actuator 35 so that its leading end remains stationary at a predetermined position at all times. The photosensitive sheet has an electrostatic latent image of the original formed thereon through a movable optical system 36, and the latent image is developed by a developing device 37. After being developed, the photosensitive sheet is ejected through a discharging port 38 on a duplicate receiving tray 39. ll designates a main switch of the duplicating machine, 41 a printing button, and 42 a repeat dial.

The automatic original feed device 2 comprises an original stand-by section 3, an original conveying and holding section 4 and an original ejecting section 5. The original ejection section 5 has an original receiving tray 7 which may be pivoted into a position in which it is disposed on the original conveying and holding section 4 as shown in the lower dash-and-dot lines in FIG. I and may be held there by magnetic attraction to the case of section 4. The original stand-by section 3 may be mounted on the duplicating machine proper I, such as by suitable screws, and the original conveying and holding section 4, which may be pivotally connected to the original stand-by section 3 through a shaft 6, rests on the duplicating machine proper 1 by its own weight. Thus, the original conveying and holding section 4 and original ejecting section 5 can be pivoted about the shaft 6 into the respective positions shown in dash-anddot lines in FIG. I and in which positions they can be locked. This arrangement permits the duplicating machine l to be used for performing a normal duplicating operation with its original-receiving glass plate 18 being rendered free to receive thereon an original of any form, such for example as a book of large thickness, without removing the automatic original feed device 2 from the duplicating machine I.

In FIG. 2, the original stand-by section 3 is shown in greater detail as having an inclined original rest tray 8 on which a number of originals of the same size may be piled in a stack such that the leading end edges of the upper originals extend further forward than the leading ends of the lower originals; and all the originals are disposed with their information carrying surfaces facing downwardly. A separating roller 9 which is formed on its periphery with gripping irregularities is appropriately rotated through a suitable clutch and power means when a main switch 30 (See FIG. 4) of the automatic original feed device 2 is turned on. Disposed in slightly spaced-apart relation to the separating roller 9 is a roller 10 which does not rotate and which is mounted on a lever 11 connected for swinging motion about a pivot 11a. The position of the lever 11 may be varied and set by means of a knob 12 and a screw 13 so as to adjust the space between the separating roller 9 and roller 10. The space between the two rollers 9 and 10 is set such that only one of the originals on the table 8 can positively pass therethrough.

A pair of feed rollers 14 and 15 are disposed downstream from the separating roller means as seen in the direction of the movement of the originals. The lower roller 14 is a normally driven rotating roller while the upper roller 15 is adapted to rotate in slaved relation when it is moved downwardly into contact with the lower roller 14. The upper roller 15 is mounted on a lever 16 adapted to move in pivotable motion about a pivot 16A by means ofa motor 163 which is connected to the circuit of print button 41. A microswitch 17 has its actuator 17A adapted to project into the path of movement of the originals to detect the passing of the originals through the path and motor 29 is a main drive motor for powering the automatic original feed device according to the invention.

In FIG. 3, the original conveying and holding section 4 is shown in greater detail as having an endless belt 24 entrained over a drive roller 19, guide rollers 20, 21, and 22 and tensioning roller 23 for movement along a predetermined path in which a lower run of the belt 24 is maintained in contact with the original-receiving glass plate 18 of the duplicating machine proper l. The drive roller 19, like the roller 9, is adapted through a suitable drive system, to be rendered operative upon depression of the main switch 30 of the automatic original feed device and rendered inoperative after lapse of a predetermined time interval following release of the trailing end of the original fed from engagement with the actuator 17A of the microswitch 17.

In this arrangement, the lower run of the endless belt 24 is a loosened run while the upper run thereof is a tensioned run. The original is fed by the lower run or loosened run of the belt 24. A plurality of pressing rollers 43, 44 and 45 are arranged on the back side of the loosened lower run of the belt 24. Each of the pressing rollers may be in the form of a single shaft or may consist of a number of balls connected together in a row. The pressing rollers 43, 44 and 45 are supported at opposite ends for rotation and vertical movement by suitable support means fixed to the frame of the device. By their own weight or with the aid of springs ofa weak resilient force, the pressing rollers 43, 44 and 45 press the loosened lower run of the belt 24 downwardly.

It should be noted that, if the lower run of the endless belt 24, which is maintained in contact with the original receiving glass plate 18, is a tensioned run, rather than a loosened run as aforementioned, the pressing down of the lower run of the belt 24 by the weight of the pressing rollers may be insufficient to achieve the desired conveying of the original because the weight of the pressing rollers may be unable to overcome the ten sion of the belt. The original is subjected to a higher degree of frictional dragging by those portions of the lower run of the belt 24 which are disposed immediately below the pressing rollers and in the vicinity thereof, than by other portions of the belt, so that it is necessary that the original be positively pressed by these portions. Moreover, uniform pressure is applied to the original by such portions so that the original can be prevented from slipping out of a predetermined position or being brought out of alignment with the normal path of movement by properly adjusting the pressing force. Thus, the original can be positively conveyed through a predetermined path and held in a predetermined position for duplication by means of this belt arrangement.

Further in FIG. 3, the original ejecting section 5 is shown as having an ejecting roller 25 adapted to rotate conjointly with the endless belt 24, and guide plates 26A and 268, in addition to the original receiving tray 7. The original receiving tray 7 is maintained in an angular position as shown by two pins 27 and 28. By displacing the tray 7 slightly along the pin 27, the tray 7 can be released from engagement with the pin 28 and dropped into a position in which it is disposed on the case of the original conveying and holding section 4 as shown in the lower dash-and-dot lines in FIG. 1.

In operation, the main switch 40 of the duplicating machine proper 1 is depressed and the repeat dial 42 is manipulated to set a repeat means (not shown) at a number of duplicates to be produced from each original. Then, the main switch 30 of the automatic original feed device according to the invention is depressed to render the drive motor 29 operative to thereby rotate the separating roller 9, lower roller 14 and drive roller 19 for endless belt 24, which rollers are connected to the drive motor 29 by a suitable transmission system. Before or after the main switch is depressed, a stack of originals is piled on the original receiving tray 8 with the leading end edges of the upper originals extending forwardly a greater distance than those of the lower originals as shown in FIG. 2. The uppermost original of the stack of originals is bitten by the separating roller 9 and removed from the rest of the originals of the stack, and moved further forwardly by the pair of feed rollers 14 and 15 till the leading end of the original is brought into engagement with the actuator 17A of the microswitch 17 rendering the microswitch l7 operative. This results in the disengaging of the separating roller clutch, stopping roller 9 from rotating, and in lever 16 being caused to swing upwardly about the pivot 16A, by a suitable cam means or the like operated by motor 168, to thereby release the upper roller 15 from engagement with the normally rotating lower roller 14. Thus, the original stops in its movement so that it remains stationary and stands by in this position on the stand-by section.

If the print buttom 41 of the duplicating machine proper l is depressed at this time, then a photosensitive sheet severed and electrically charged in the duplicating machine proper l as aforementioned is moved to the exposing position 34 and the lever 16 of the automatic original feed device 2 is caused to pivot downwardly by motor 168 to again bring the upper roller 15 into engagement with the lower roller 14. Thus, the original standing by is moved again forwardly in synchronism with the photosensitive sheet in the duplicating machine proper.

The leading end edge of the original moved again as aforementioned is gripped by the endless belt 24 and moved along the original receiving glass plate 18 of the duplicating machine proper 1. The drive roller 19 is rendered inoperative stopping the endless belt 24 after lapse of a predetermined time interval following release of the trailing end of the original from the actuator 17A of the microswitch 17. Thus, the original stops in an illuminating position and the photosensitive sheet stops in apredetermined position in the exposing position 34 as aforementioned, and the optical system 36 is moved to expose the photosensitive sheet to an optical image of the original. Exposing takes place a number of times corresponding to the number of duplicates to be produced at which the repeat means is set beforehand as aforementioned.

In place of using the microswitch 17 as aforementioned, a photoelectric sensing means may be used to detect the passing of each original through a predetermined path without coming into contact with the original.

As soon as the trailing end of .the original is released from engagement with the actuator 17A of the microswitch 17, the separating roller 9 is caused through a suitable signal to start rotating again to remove the uppermost original from the stack of originals and feed the same to the feed rollers 14 and 15. When the leading end edge of the second original is brought into engagement with the actuator 17A of the microswitch 17, the microswitch 17 is actuated to render the original stationary and cause it to stop in the stand-by position in the manner of the first original. When a predetermined number of duplicates are produced from the first original, the print button 41 may be automatically depressed and the second original disposed in the stand by position is moved to the illumination position. The first original which has gone through the exposing operation is guided by the guide plates 26A and 26B and ejected by the ejecting roller on to the original receiving tray 7. This operation may be continued until all of the originals on rest tray 8 are exhausted whereupon machine land device 2 may be automatically shut off.

The stack of originals from the original rest tray 8 with their information carrying surfaces facing downwardly will be piled on the original receiving tray 7 in the same order but with the information carrying surfaces of the originals facing upwardly. The printed photosensitive sheets ejected onto the duplicate receiving tray 39 through the discharging port 38 of the duplicating machine shown in FIG. 1 are successively piled in a stack with the image carrying surfaces of the duplicates facing upwardly. Thus, the originals ejected and piled in a stack on the original receiving tray 7 and the duplicates discharged from the duplicating machine and piled in a stack on the duplicate receiving tray 39 after the operation are in the same order as the stack of originals piled on the original test tray before the operation. This greatly facilitates handling and sorting of the originals and duplicates after the operation.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the automatic original feed device according to this invention which permits originals in sheet form to be automatically and continuously fed to the duplicating machine can be mounted as an attachment in unitary form on any duplicating machine commerically available nowadays. An additional advantage lies in the fact that the arrangement by which the original conveying and holding section and the original ejecting section can be pivoted to expose the original receiving glass plate surface of the duplicating machine without removing the device from the duplicating machine, makes it possible to produce a duplicate or duplicates of a page or pages of a book by placing it directly on the glass plate while the device is still attached to the duplicating machine. It is thus possible to switch between an automatic duplicating operation using the device according to this invention and operation without using it while the device remains attached to the machine. Further advantages are that access can be readily had to the originals in the device if they get stuck, and the mechanism is simple because a single speed system is employed. Also, maintenance can be readily effected, and production cost is relatively low.

Appropriate systems for controlling and driving the present device and for connecting the systems to the corresponding control and drive systems in the duplicating machine will be within the purview of those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic original feed device for mounting on electrophotographic duplicating machines comprising:

a. an original stand-by section connected to said machine at one side of the copying position and including:

i. an original rest tray;

ii. separating means for feeding originals from said original rest tray in sequence; and

iii. pivot means;

b. an original conveying and holding section having a flat upper surface thereon and pivotable on said pivot means for resting on the copying position on said machine adjacent said stand-by section and including:

i. first conveying means for conveying each of the originals fed from said original stand-by section to the copying position on the machine; and

ii. means for holding each original in said copying position during copying; and

c. an original ejecting section disposed on the opposite side of the copying position from said original stand-by section and including:

i. second conveying means for conveying each original from said copying position after being copied;

ii. an original receiving tray upwardly inclined with respect to said copying position in the direction of said original rest tray and disposed above said original conveying and holding section for receiving each original conveyed thereto by said second conveying means, said tray having a flat undersurface thereon; and

iii. mounting means for pivoting said receiving tray from said inclined position to a rest position with its flat undersurface on the flat upper surface of said original conveying and holding section;

the original conveying and holding section and the original ejecting section being connected to each other and pivotable as a unit about said pivot means on said stand-by section so as to permit access to the copying position of the duplicating machine without removing the device therefrom.

2. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said original rest tray is disposed on said stand-by section in an inclined position and supports a stack of originals piled thereon with the leading end edges of upper originals extending further forwardly in the feed direction than the leading end edges of lower originals, and said separating means comprises a pair of rollers arranged one above the other at the exit of said rest tray, the upper roller being normally driven to rotate while the other roller is adapted not to rotate, said two rollers being spaced apart from each other a distance such that only a single original can pass therebetween at a time.

3. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first conveying means comprises an endless belt having an upper tensioned run and a lower loosened run and arranged such that its loosened run is brought into engagement with the copying posi tion of the duplicating machine, and said holding means comprises a plurality of pressing rollers disposed on the back side of the loosened run of the endless belt in pressing engagement therewith.

4. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said original ejecting section further comprises means for altering the path of movement of originals from the original rest tray to the original receiving tray such that the direction of movement of the originals is changed through more than 5. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said original ejecting section further comprises a receiving tray holding means for holding said receiving tray on said original conveying and holding section by magnetic attraction when said original receiving tray is pivoted from said inclined position with respect to said original conveying and holding section to a rest position thereon.

6. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pivot means comprises a shaft to which said original conveying and holding section is pivotally connected. 

1. An automatic original feed device for mounting on electrophotographic duplicating machines comprising: a. an original stand-by section connected to said machine at one side of the copying Position and including: i. an original rest tray; ii. separating means for feeding originals from said original rest tray in sequence; and iii. pivot means; b. an original conveying and holding section having a flat upper surface thereon and pivotable on said pivot means for resting on the copying position on said machine adjacent said stand-by section and including: i. first conveying means for conveying each of the originals fed from said original stand-by section to the copying position on the machine; and ii. means for holding each original in said copying position during copying; and c. an original ejecting section disposed on the opposite side of the copying position from said original stand-by section and including: i. second conveying means for conveying each original from said copying position after being copied; ii. an original receiving tray upwardly inclined with respect to said copying position in the direction of said original rest tray and disposed above said original conveying and holding section for receiving each original conveyed thereto by said second conveying means, said tray having a flat undersurface thereon; and iii. mounting means for pivoting said receiving tray from said inclined position to a rest position with its flat undersurface on the flat upper surface of said original conveying and holding section; the original conveying and holding section and the original ejecting section being connected to each other and pivotable as a unit about said pivot means on said stand-by section so as to permit access to the copying position of the duplicating machine without removing the device therefrom.
 2. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said original rest tray is disposed on said stand-by section in an inclined position and supports a stack of originals piled thereon with the leading end edges of upper originals extending further forwardly in the feed direction than the leading end edges of lower originals, and said separating means comprises a pair of rollers arranged one above the other at the exit of said rest tray, the upper roller being normally driven to rotate while the other roller is adapted not to rotate, said two rollers being spaced apart from each other a distance such that only a single original can pass therebetween at a time.
 3. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first conveying means comprises an endless belt having an upper tensioned run and a lower loosened run and arranged such that its loosened run is brought into engagement with the copying position of the duplicating machine, and said holding means comprises a plurality of pressing rollers disposed on the back side of the loosened run of the endless belt in pressing engagement therewith.
 4. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said original ejecting section further comprises means for altering the path of movement of originals from the original rest tray to the original receiving tray such that the direction of movement of the originals is changed through more than 90*.
 5. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said original ejecting section further comprises a receiving tray holding means for holding said receiving tray on said original conveying and holding section by magnetic attraction when said original receiving tray is pivoted from said inclined position with respect to said original conveying and holding section to a rest position thereon.
 6. An automatic original feed device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pivot means comprises a shaft to which said original conveying and holding section is pivotally connected. 